The
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
belongs to the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya (denomination or
tradition), an ancient monotheistic tradition within Vedic or
Hindu culture. ISKCON was established on July 11, 1966 by His
Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (affectionately
called Srila Prabhupada). It began in a small storefront in New
York and has since developed into a worldwide confederation of
over 11,000 temple devotees, 980,000 congregational devotees, and
is comprised of more than 350 centers, 60 rural communities, and
55 restaurants worldwide.

The
mission of this nonsectarian, monotheistic movement, popularly
known as the Hare Krishna movement, is to promote the well being
of society by teaching the science of Krishna consciousness
according to the Bhagavad Gita and other ancient Vedic scriptures
of India

With the
growing influence and awareness about ISKCON, have also come many
misconceptions, some of them trivial, bordering humorous (like do
I have to become bald to join ISKCON?) to much more serious (like
does ISKCON deny the existence of other religions?). In this
article, we will examine the more common myths related to ISKCON
and explain the facts.

Myth:
ISKCON is an American organization.

Fact:
ISKCON is non-sectarian in all respects, including nationality.
It has temples all over the world managed and attended by local
people of that region. Devotees often travel to different temples
all over the world serving the deities, preaching and performing
temple services as and when needed.

Myth:
ISKCON propagates a predominantly Hindu religion.

Fact:
Hindu culture is vast, and the term encompasses numerous
theologies, philosophies religious traditions and spiritual
cultures. ISKCON propagates the timeless Vedic philosophy which
is not limited to any religion. The concept of God consciousness,
devotional service and associating with God by remembering His
name, His pastimes and following His instructions is universally
preached in all spiritual walks of life and is explained in the
Vedas as the 'sanatana dharma', the basic duty of all living
entities.

Myth:
ISKCON is a new-wave religion

Fact:
ISKCON belongs to the Brahma Sampradaya, emanating from Lord
Brahma and is one of the four authorized Vaishnava sampradayas
(the other three are the Sri or Lakshmi, Rudra and Kumara
sampradayas). The founder acarya Srila Prabhupada belongs to an
unbroken disciplic succession started by Sri Krishna through Lord
Brahma and includes authorities like Narada Muni, Srila
Vyasadeva, Sripada Madhavacarya and Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Myth:
ISKCON uses American wealth to fund its project over the world.

Fact:
All temples in ISKCON are mostly self sufficient and rely on
their local congregation, book distribution and festivals to
sustain and expand.

Myth:
ISKCON is very aggressive in its preaching.

Fact:
Devotees are naturally very compassionate and eager to share
their love of Godhead with others. The Vedic scriptures enjoin
that there is no activity as holy as spreading the name and
teachings of God. However they also respect the views, background
and practices of different people at all times. ISKCON does see
it as its mission to accept with open arms any sincere soul who
declares a need for spiritual shelter and guidance. There is a
definite missionary spirit in Vaishnavism and Hinduism, but its
practice is not governed by an exclusionist conversion model.
From a Gaudiya Vaishnava perspective, ISKCON works not at
'conversion' but spiritual development.

Myth:
ISKCON has been altered to suit the westerners

Fact:
ISKCON is based on the potency of disciplic succession. The
original word is passed from spiritual master to disciple without
any modifications. The philosophy, practices, principles and any
apparent deviation have been clearly enunciated and authorized by
the Vedic scriptures. ISKCON requires that all initiated devotees
strictly follow the four regulative principles (no meat eating,
no intoxication, no gambling, no illicit sex), chant at least
sixteen round of Japa daily and seriously study, understand and
assimilate the Vedic scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Srimad
Bhagavatam etc.

Myth:
ISKCON has turned religion into a public show.

Fact:
People are often bemused and some times angered by the public
sankirtans performed by ISKCON. However the scriptures recommend
sankirtan as the yuga dharma for the current age of Kali. The
traditional ratha yatra held annually in Puri is a classic
example of this. The Nagara Sankirtana (town chanting) movement
inaugurated by Caitanya Mahaprabhu has been followed in India for
centuries and spontaneously engages even unwilling people into
devotional service by sravana (hearing) and kirtana (singing) the
Lord's name. However, these public displays are sustained by
serious introspection, study of the scriptures. and hours of
daily Japa meditation and deity worship.

Myth:
Deity worship standard in ISKCON does not come up to the level of
traditional temples in India.

Fact:
ISKCON temples are highly acclaimed in India and the rest of the
world for exactingly high standard of deity worship. There are
daily six aratis, regular bhoga offering beginning from early
morning at 4:30AM, qualified priests and Brahmans expertly
trained in deity dressing and worship.

Myth:
ISKCON has very few people from Brahman families.

Fact:
In Bhagavad Gita (18.42-44), Sri Krishna clearly states that the
Varna (caste) of a person is decided by his activities, not by
birth. At ISKCON all devotees follow rigorous regulative
principles and are carefully guided and observed by their
spiritual masters before they become eligible to receive their
first (Harinam) or second (Brahamanical) initiation. All
initiated devotees in ISKCON take a vow to adhere to the four
regulative principles (no meat eating, no intoxication, no
gambling and no illicit sex) and chant at least sixteen rounds of
Japa every day.

Myth:
ISKCON propounds a culture of conversion

Fact:
ISKCON has the basic belief that God consciousness is universal
and all major religions are bona fide. With this understanding,
ISKCON does not have a mission to proselytize members of other
faiths. There are fully practicing Christians and Moslems who are
active members of ISKCON.Similarly there are many that have whole
heartedly embraced the Vedic teachings explained in the ISKCON
temples. Conversion is a an individual experience, a very
personal spiritual journey that transcends religious institutions
and sectarian affiliations. Conversion models that depend on
exclusionist demands of affiliation may often do so without
considering the Lord's supremacy, independent in truth.

Myth:
ISKCON like other temples and churches is always asking for
money.

Fact:
It is customary for religious organizations, engaged in spiritual
service, to depend on the congregation for support. While our
temples do need money to support, they are ultimately only
dependant on the mercy of Sri Krishna for this. People contribute
voluntarily, only when they are eager to utilize their wealth in
the service of Sri Krishna, and ISKCON takes utmost care that
this is done optimally. However no one is excluded on the basis
of their wealth or contributions. The greatest spiritual
realizations that one can have is that he is not the proprietor
of anything - every thing belongs to Krishna and is best used in
his service.

Myth:
ISKCON has diluted religion by making it high-tech.

Fact:
Temples in ISKCON are known to rely on latest technology to
attract visitors. Sannyasis fly around the world and keep in
touch using Email from their laptops. But all this is being used
in the service of Sri Krishna. In itself technology is neither
good or bad, it is the intent of its use that makes the
difference. The concept of 'yukta vairagya' using everything in
the service of Krishna is fully understood and carefully followed
in ISKCON.

Myth:
ISKCON does not have any social obligations.

Fact:
ISKCON is the largest Vegetarian Food Relief organization in the
world. It distributes a plate of prasadam every five seconds,
some times in the midst of war and famine situations. At
different places, depending on the resources and interest, ISKCON
has established hospitals, schools, farm communities and
restaurants. However, they do not distribute just food, they
distribute prasadam (food that has been sanctified by offering to
Krishna), which not only alleviates physical hunger but also
provides spiritual nourishment. The focus is always on the
spiritual growth of a person, not just the temporary material
body.

Myth:
ISKCON requires its members to shave up and become bald !

Fact:
The only basis of joining ISKCON is simple: a sincere desire to
develop God consciousness. There are attendant processes while
making spiritual advancements, like austerity, simplicity and
frugalness. Becoming bald is simply one of the prescribed ways to
lead a simple, austere life.

We hope
that this has cleared many common misconceptions about ISKCON
held by people in different countries and denominations. As
always, we welcome from our readers, discussions on any of these
points.